A division bench comprised of Justices BK Narayana and AK Mishra delivered the verdict on an appeal challenging the decision of a CBI court which found Nupur and Rajesh Talwar guilty for the murder of their daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj.

In its judgement, the court stated that due to lack of evidences, the dentist couple should be given a benefit of doubt.

The court had reserved the verdict on September 7 last.

The case was regarding the appeal filed by the dentist couple and October 12 was assigned by the division bench as the date for the verdict.

The couple is currently serving their life sentence in Ghaziabad’s Dasna jail.

The Allahabad HC’s decision also got the backing by renowned Bollywood celebs Vishal Bharadwaj and Meghna Gulzar, who were the producer and director of the movie ‘Talvar’, which was based on the 2008 Aarushi murder case.

Justice delayed is NOT justice denied. Overwhelmed and deeply relieved upon hearing the news of the acquittal. #AarushiVerdict#Talwars

Here is all you need to know about the ‘2008 Aarushi Murder Case’:

The Time Line—

May 16, 2008: Aarushi Talwar, the daughter of dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, found dead with her throat slit in the bedroom of her Noida home.

May 17, 2008: Body of Hemraj, the Talwars’ domestic help, found on the terrace.

May 23, 2008: Aarushi’s father Rajesh arrested for double murder.

May 31, 2008: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes over case.

June, 2008: Krishna, Rajesh’s compounder, arrested by the CBI. Ten days later, Raj Kumar, the servant of a doctor friend of the Talwars, and Vijay Mandal, the domestic help of Talwars’ neighbour, also nabbed.

July, 2008: Rajesh set free by court after CBI fails to present evidence against him.

December 2010: The CBI files closure report, stating Rajesh is the main suspect but there is not enough evidence against him.

February 2011: A special Ghaziabad court orders that Rajesh and Nupur Talwar be tried for Aarushi’s murder. The couple also face allegations of destruction of evidence. A CBI special court in Ghaziabad issues bailable warrants against the couple for not being present in court.

March 2012: The CBI argues in court for cancellation of Rajesh’s bail.

April, 2012: Nupur Talwar arrested.

May, 2012: Rajesh and Nupur charged by Ghaziabad court with murder, destruction of evidence and conspiracy.

September, 2012: Nupur Talwar released on bail.

April, 2013: CBI officer tells court that Aarushi, Hemraj were killed by the Talwars. CBI also tells court that Aarushi and Hemraj were found in objectionable position.

May 3, 2013: Defence counsel pleads before a special court to summon 14 people, including former CBI joint director Arun Kumar as witness. CBI opposes the plea.

Facts you need to know—

The twisted tale has plumbed the depths of reasoning, raising questions at every turn – when the police in Noida named Rajesh Talwar as the prime suspect in the murders of his daughter and servant, and now with the CBI naming three others as the accused and giving Talwar a clean chit.

After spending over 50 days in jail, Rajesh Talwar walked home Saturday after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said they had no evidence against him in the May 15 night murders of Aarushi and Hemraj.

When the Noida Police hinted at an illicit relation between Talwar and Anita Durani, a fellow dentist and the Talwar’s family friend, Nupur Talwar dismissed it saying that the Duranis were “like an extended family”.

At a press conference on May 24, Anita Durani said that she had professional ties with Rajesh Talwar.

“In addition to our professional relationship, our children brought us together – Aarushi and my daughter were studying in the same school,” she said.

“The police have not questioned me in the entire episode. Aarushi was like my daughter. I had good relations with the family and even used to drop Aarushi to school,” she added.

To the Noida police’s suggestion about Aarushi’s alleged relationship with Hemraj, her friends cried out that the “police has no right to malign a girl’s character who was not even there to defend herself”.